Lots to like, lots to work on – Blues fall just short
With rock-hard ground conditions delaying the start on the new rugby season by two weeks, Newbury Blues finally got underway with a home match against Gloucester side, Longlevens.
In a match that saw some impressive action from both sides, its early stages looked very much like the first game of the season it was, with both teams taking the first ten minutes to find much of a rhythm. The first score, not long after, went to Longlevens, an impressively quick try by Outside Centre Tom Barton, converted by Full Back Lewis Collins. The Blues drew level midway through the first half, with a converted try by Inside Centre (and Co-Captain) Chris Laidler.
Both sides found a couple more tries and it looked like half-time would see the Blues trailing by a couple of points (a missed conversion), until practically on the point of the first half whistle Longlevens drove through another converted try. The sides went in 19:28.
The game was far from over. The Blues were awarded a penalty try early in the second half, with both sides adding a further try each not long after. With the scores standing at 31:35, and not much time left on the clock, the visitors took the tactical decision to kick for goal when they were awarded a penalty and stretched their lead out to 31:38. The crowd in this very well-attended home match had certainly not given up hope of an equalising Blues try. And then…
In a game where the quality of the home team’s kicking was excellent, a late-game kick into the tryline corner was completely botched. The game stormed to the other end of the field and right in the final seconds of the game Longlevens deservedly scored another try, bringing the final score to 31:43.
Longlevens had the bigger pack and that was clearly an advantage but the Blues’ front row, which included two debutantes, anchored the scrum splendidly. Head Coach James McAvoy described himself as pleased with the progression [from pre-season training] and the consistency of the set piece. He saw lots of team highlights but there was individual work to do.
The Newbury Blues are away at Marlborough on 3rd October and back home on 10th October to face Cleve. Come on you Blues!